American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition Honored with an Exemplary Implementation Award

     The American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition (ASCCC) was presented a Comprehensive Cancer Control Exemplary Implementation Award for a U.S. Territory and Pacific Jurisdiction by C-Change, an organization comprised of the nation’s key cancer leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors. Some of these leaders include former President George Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush (Co-chairs), Senator Dianne Feinstein (Vice-Chair, and American Cancer Society’s Chief Executive Officer John Seffrin (Treasurer). The ASCCC was invited to accept the award at the C-Change Annual Meeting and 10^th Anniversary Celebration on November 13, 2008, held at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at College Station, Texas.            

     The ASCCC received the award due to its work within the local community regarding cancer. Highlighted in these areas were the recent cancer workshops, and community education activities. In October an event was hosted by the ASCCC to educate participants on how to transition from community member to patient advocate, through legislation. The ASCCC is currently partnering with the American Samoa Comprehensive Cancer Control Program to develop workshop meetings with local community members that will expand physician patient protocols for cancer care, collaborate on nutrition and physical activity plans, cancer survivorship, and advocacy. The ASCCC has partnered with many members of the local Senate and the House of Representatives to develop the American Samoa Smoke Free Environment Act, which was recently vetoed. The ASCCC will continue to work with both members of the Legislative and Executive Branch to develop a legislative document that will promote healthier life styles, to decrease the cancer deaths in the territory. Also the ASCCC is working with Dr. Jean Asuega to develop “Talk Story Sessions” with cancer survivors to deal with psychosocial issues in the territory. A more recent project being developed is the implementation of Patient Navigation Program, and Resource Book in the Territory. This is a project in collaboration with the American Samoa  Community Cancer Network (ASCCN). 

     For these exemplary developments in a Territory of the United States, the ASCCC was presented the award by former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush, in a 2 day ceremony preceded by a gala awards dinner at the Presidential Library. There to accept the award on behalf of the ASCCC Board of Directors were: Chairperson Jennifer Tofaeono and Honorable Vaito’a Hans Langkilde.

     The ASCCC will continue to work with the leaders and members of C-Change, and the Territory, who share a vision of a future to leverage leadership and expertise of all sectors of society to eliminate cancer as a major public health problem at the earliest possible time. For more information in regards to ASCCC, American Samoa Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, or the American Samoa Community Cancer Network call 633-4589 or visit us at www.asccancercoalition.org.